As writers, all we want is for someone to connect with our writing. That connection landed Johanna Peyton her new agent!

Way to go, Johanna! 

How long had you been writing before seeking an agent, and what made you decide it was time to look for one?

I have been writing all my life (journals, research papers, blog posts, etc.) but didn’t start pursuing this dream of publishing in the kidlit space in earnest until 2020. I started querying seriously about two years after that decision. When I started querying, I had several (three to five) manuscripts that I felt were ready for the next step.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

Before and while I was querying, I researched agents through conference attendance, Manuscript Wishlist online, 12 x 12 Featured Agent blog posts, Query Tracker weekly email updates, agent websites, Twitter posts… basically anything I could get my hands on that would help me determine if an agent and I would  be a good fit.

The dreaded questions: How many queries?  How many rejections?

In two and a half years of querying, I sent 72 queries to agents. All but three of those were rejections.

Was it difficult to find an agent who wanted to represent an author focusing on picture books?

Yes and no. I first connected with my agent as a referral from the head of her agency. I didn’t find out until the call with her that she was technically closed to picture book writers. But she said that she connected on a personal level to my manuscripts and had to get them out into the world. (Which is a dream for any writer to hear.) So yes, I think it might seem like there are fewer agents saying they want picture book text only… but also no, because personal connection to a manuscript trumps everything.

Who is your new agent? Tell us about getting the news.

I am honored to be represented by agent Taylor Martindale Kean of Full Circle Literary. After a request for more work, I got an email response from her saying that my three manuscripts each made her cry for different reasons. After years of feeling like no one understood the heart of my writing, I was over the moon to hear that Taylor got it.

How did you know your agent was “the one”?

After being in the query trenches for two and a half years and getting lots of rejections, then champagne rejections, then requests for more work followed by rejections… I ended up getting three offers of representation! It was an exciting and stressful time.

But after getting off the call with Taylor, it was clear to me that she was the one. Not only did she have everything I was looking for from the business side (smart, well-connected, ethical, hard-working, editorial, etc.), but she also shared the same vision and passion for my stories.

I was giddy with excitement and wanted to say yes right away but forced myself to take some time and do all my homework (review contract, talk to other clients, etc.). This made me all that much more confident when saying yes! I still feel like I’m living in this *pinch-me* I-can’t-believe-this-is-real space.

If 12 x 12 helped you in any way during your agent search/development of craft, can you tell us how? (P.S. It is TOTALLY okay if the answer is no. I am not trying to “lead” you 😊 )

I have been a member of 12 x 12 since 2021 and this group has been immensely helpful! I never miss a webinar and even if I don’t “think” I’m going to connect with the topic, I am always wrong and come away with new inspiration or a helpful tool. The Facebook group has helped me source so much information from craft questions to industry insight to connecting with other writers. And as I mentioned above, the featured agent blogs were incredibly helpful in narrowing down my agent search. This is a wonderful community, and I am so lucky to be a part of it!

Has your writing process changed at all since signing with an agent?

The heart of my writing process has stayed the same – lots of reading, writing, and revising – but since signing with an agent, I have done more writing adjacent activities, like this interview for example.

What advice would you give to picture book writers looking for agents today?

Anytime I feel especially discouraged, I do a heart check, and think about the ending line of Mary Oliver’s poem “The Summer Day” – “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Every time, my answer is always THIS. I sincerely enjoy all the time and energy I spend in this bookish world. There is simply no other place I would rather be than growing as a writer and pursuing publication. I tell myself that as long as this is the case, I will stay the course, but if it ever changes, I will pivot with no shame.

For me, these heart checks keep the process of finding the right agent an active choice – I am choosing this. This helped put disappointments into perspective – the joy and fulfillment I feel while creating is worth the ups and downs. I am also choosing the disappointments when they come because it is part of the process.

So… How do YOU want to spend your one wild and precious life? If writing and pursing a literary career is your answer too… then you’re stuck. You just have to keep going. Lucky you!

Do you think your platform (blog, social media) helped you find your agent?

Not directly as my agent is not very active on social media. I stay active on Instagram where I share about my writing journey and review books that inspire me. I don’t think this directly helped me get an agent but it does help me stay connected with new picture books on the market which I think adds strength to my manuscripts.

Tell us something that is on your “bucket list.” Something you’ve dreamed of doing all your life but have yet to accomplish (besides publishing a book, which is inevitable at this point 🙂 )

My younger brother is a fabulous artist, and it is a dream of mine to one day publish a picture book with him as the illustrator.

What’s up next/what are you working on now?

I am still writing and revising lots of picture books, but I am also working hard on a middle grade novel in verse. It has been creatively fulfilling and a lot of fun to challenge myself in a new genre.